Pump mounting for a synthetic rubber fuel cell



Jan. 14, 1958 J. R. SNYDER 2,819,680

PUMP MOUNTING FOR A SYNTHETIC RUBBER FUEL CELL Filed April 29, 1954 2SheetsSheet 1 I x 1 1 I i 15 r il l i 1 g 59 11 2a 15 Z5 Z1 4 '1' V/ Z30 a Z2 I'QVE: 272127? (Jacob Rush 512 yaer Jan. 14, 1958 JLR, SNYDER2,819,680

PUMP MOUNTING FOR A SYNTHETIC RUBBER FUEL CELL 1; 2 v R Z1 *2) 11 23' &\\\\j% I 22 EI Ei lffl'i Jacob Rush Snyder PUMP MOUNTING FOR A SYNTHETICRUBBER FUEL CELL Jacob Rush Snyder, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Thomp-S6011]! Products, Inc., Cieveland, Ohio, a corporation of ApplicationApril 29, 1954, Serial No. 426,450

12 Claims. (Cl. 103-218) This invention relates generally to mountingstructures for submerged type pumps located interiorly of a fuel celland more particularly relates to a quick attaching device for clamping asubmerged type pump in mounted relationship on a synthetic rubber fuelcell.

Submerged type pumps are frequently mounted in fuel cell constructionsby means of clamping arrangements which utilize a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced fastening means such as screws or the likecooperable with clamping bands located on opposite sides of the edges ofan opening formed in the walls of a fuel cell. For example, as many asfifteen to twenty separate mounting screws may be required, therebyinvolving a considerable amount of time in the event replacement of apump unit in a fuel cell is required. Moreover, there is always thepossibility of losing one or more of the fastening screws and there isthe further possibility that haste on the part of the operator mightcause damage to the thread of one or more of the screws or the partscooperable therewith.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the pumphead and the edges of the fuel cell opening are provided, respectively,with mating lock ring members cooperable with a turn buckle typeadjusting screw so that the pump may be attached or detached in only afraction of the time previously required with conventional fastening andmounting arrangements.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a quickattaching device for a fuel cell pump mounting structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pump mountingfor a fuel cell which utilizes a reduced number of simplified parts.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pumpmounting arrangement which will be self-supporting even thoughincompletely coupled so that the operator can conveniently makeadjustments toward a permanently locked position with maximumconvenience.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a quickattaching mechanism for a fuel cell pump mounting arrangement which maybe conveniently usedwith existing fuel cell structures.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the presentinvention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon makingreference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanyingsheets of drawings in which preferred structural embodiments of a pumpmounting arrangement for a synthetic rubber fuel cell is shown by way ofillustrative example.

On the drawings;

Figure l is an elevational view of a submerged type pump mounted insideof a fuel cell in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1showing the mounting arrangement; Figure 3 is cross-sectional view,broken in part showing an alternative form of fastening means providedin nited States Patent 2 accordance with the principles of the presentinvention; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary peripheral view of the clamp ing ring portionof the quick attaching device with the clamping ring removed toillustrate additional details of construction.

As shown in the drawings:

in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a fuel cell10 made out of synthetic rubber or some other suitable material isprovided with a bottom wall 11 having an opening 12 formed therein.

A submergedtype pump 13 extends through said opening 12 and is mountedso as to be submerged inside of the fuel cell 10. It will be understoodthat the principles of the present invention are not specificallydependent upon any particular pump details and, accordingly, for thepurposes of the present disclosure the pump 13 is identified as asubmerged booster pump having a booster pump end frame 14 and includinga. pump head indicated at 16.

The pump head 16 has an outlet opening 17 formed therein communicatingwith a passage 18 provided by the booster pump end frame 14. Inaccordance with the usual practice, the structure may be equipped foreither inside or outside fuel delivery by either closing the outletopening 17 or by connecting a conduit thereto for carrying fuel actedupon by the pump 13 to a point of utiliza tion.

To facilitate assembly of the pump 13 to the fuel cell 10 in accordancewith the principles of the present invention, a mounting ring structureis connected to the fuel cell for cooperation with components of thepump structure.

Referring first of all to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, themounting ring structure comprises a body portion 19 which takes theconfiguration of a disc or an annular ring member made of a moldedresilient material such as synthetic rubber or the like. The bodyportion 19 is peripherally grooved as at 20 thereby to provide an upperperipheral flange 21 and a lower peripheral flange 22, both of whichperipheral flanges extend circumferentially to overlap the insidesurface and. the outside surface, respectively, of the bottom wall 11 ofthe fuel cell 10 at the edges of the opening 12. The peripheral groove20 is shaped complementally to the edges of the bottom wall 11 at theopening 12 so as to receive the edges in snug relationship for keepingthe body portion 19 in firm assembly with thebottom wall 11 of the fuelcell 10.

A rigid annular ring member 23 made of a suitable metal or other rigidmaterial is integrally embedded within the body portion 19:and includesa plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending fingers 24which project outwardly of the body portion 19 from the undersidethereof and beyond the outside surface of the lower wall 11 of the fuelcell 10.

The pump head 16 has a radially outwardly extending circumferentialmounting flange 26 which is located outside of the fuel cell 10constituting a second ring member and shaped to provide a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced fingers 27 to interlock with the fingers 24 onthe ring 23. Thus, the interlocking fingers 241 and 27 con-- stitutelock rings which are engaged by a clamping ring 28 actuated by aturnbuckle type screw indicated generally at 29 so that the pump 13 maybe attached or detached to the fuel cell 10 in only a fraction of thetime previously required with conventional pump mounting arrangements. v

The upper surface of the pump head 16 is particularly characterized bythe-provision of an annular groove 30 seating an 0 ring seal member 31which, in turn, engages the lower surface of the body portion 19 toprovide a seal between the pump head 16 and the body portion 19.

The embodiment of Figure 3 is very similar to the embodiment alreadydescribed except the axially projecting fingers 24 are carried on arigid ring 2 3' which is located wholly outside of the body portion 19'of the mounting ring structure.

Integrally embedded within the body portion 19' is an annular disc 32carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded inserts 33.The rigid ring 23 1s provided with a corresponding plurality of openings34 counterbored as at 36 to pass and receive a corresponding pluralityof flush-type fastening screws 37 each threaded into a correspondinginsert 33 for retainingthe rigid ring 23' in firm assembly with the bodyportion 19.

It may be further noted that the rigid ring 23' is provided with anannular upstanding head 38 whichis formed on the inner face of the rigidring 23' and which engages the resilient surface of the body portion 19'to definitely prevent fuel leakage between the body portion 19' and therigid ring 23'. V i V In 'view of the similarity in structure betweenthe embodiment of Figures 1 and 3, iike reference numerals have beenapplied wherever possible. I

The ring 23 or 23" which is assembled to the fuel cell it) may beconsidered a base ring part and it may be noted that thecircumferentially spaced fingers 24 provided thereby have peripheralgrooves 41 extending therethrough. As is clearly shown in the drawings,the grooves 41 have wedge' sha'ped tapering side walls. The clampingring 28 fits within the grooves 4 1 of the fingers 24 and is retainedtherein against axial displacement.

The fingers 27 of the pump head 16 fit between the fingers 24. Eachfinger 27 has an out=turned lug 42 on the end thereof. The lugs 42project radially outward to a diameter which is less than the diameterof the outer ends of the fingers 24. Therefore, the lugs 42 terminateradially inward from the outer ends of the grooved fingers. Each lug 42has opposed converging abutment faces providing a leading face forguiding the lug under the clamping ring 28 and a trailing face forforming an abutment surface aligned with an intermediate portion of theadjoining finger grooves 41 This abutment face is thus otfset from thetapered sidewalls of the adjoining grooves 41 sothat when the clampingring 28 is tightened a wedging action will be exerted on the abutmentface to create an axial load drawing' the pum head tightly against thefuel cell mounting ring s'tlftlethic". I

To further facilitate alignment of the'rigid ring 23 or 23 and the pumphead 1621s they are brought together, the rigid ring 23' or 23" hastapered p'eriplieral's'houliiers 43 (Figure 2) between the fingers 24thereof for guiding the fingers 27 thereover into the spaces between thefingers 24. Likewise, the ump head 16 has tapered shoulders 44 forguiding the fingers 24 of the rigid ring there'over into the spacesbetween the fingers 27. These tapered shoulders 43 and 44 diverge dricalfiatcircurnferential walls in seating engagement with the inner faces ofthe respective fingers when the parts are coupled together.

As is best shown in Figure 4, the fingers 24 have tapered or beveledsides 46 at their leading ends which diverge to flat axiallyexte'ndin'g'sides '47. The fingers 27 have similar beveledleading sideedges 47 diverging to flats 4'5 The-flatside walls 47' and 49 are inclose fitting relation to rovide a torsional interlock or the ringpartsbut the tapered narrower leading ends of the fingers alford easilyassembly and serve to guide the fingers into their mated splinedrelationship.

The turnbuckle unit 29 for the clamping ring 28 includes a pair ofbrackets50 and 51 brazed or otherwise secured over the end portions ofthe clamping. ring 28. Each bracket has an upstandinghollow headindicated at 52' and'53, respectively. Each head has a tapered boreoutwardly to cylint 54 converging from the opposing faces of the headsto spherically concave recesses 56 in the outer faces thereof.

A draw bolt 57 has a shank freely fitting through the tapered bores 54and the recesses 56 of the heads 52 and 53. An end abutment for the drawbolt 57 may be provided at opposite ends by lock nut members indicatedat 60 and 61, respectively. There is further provided a pair of nuts 62and 63 each having a spherically convex end face 64 and 66,respectively, seated in a corresponding recess as of the head portions52 and 53. Roll pins indicated at 6"] and 68 are provided between theiiuts 62 and 63 and the head portions 52 and 53. A limiting lock ring 69is located on the end of the draw bolt 57 to prevent operation of theturnbuckle unit 29 for expansion of the clamping ring 28 to' a pointwhere the clamping ring 28 could possibly be forced over the fingers ofthe flange provided by the rigid ring 23 or 23'. In this connection, itmay be noted that the fingers 24 are radially longer than the fingers 27so that the clamping ring 28 will remain permanently with the rigidring' 23 or 23. The fingers 27, however, freely slip through theclamping ring 28 when it is expanded to a detached position.

In applying the pump 13 to an attaching position, the

fingers 27 will snap through and into engagement with the clamping ring28 and will be self-supporting so that the operator, at his convenience,can wrench the turnbuckle adjusting screw or draw bolt 57 to apermanently locked position with great convenience and facility.Inasmuch as the nuts 62 and 63 are self-locking and are held againstrotating and thrust action by means of their respective seats and theroll pins 67 and 68, the clamping ring 28 will automatically align andfirmly fasten the respective parts with only a single hand operation. Ifdesired, the adjusting screw or draw bolt 57 may be locked Wired inposition and in Figure 2 a lock wire is indicated in dash lines at 70,appropriate apertures being provided in the bracket 51 at 71 and in theadjusting screw or draw bolt 57 at 72.

Although minor structural modifications might be sugested by thoseversed in the art, it should be understood that I Wish to embody withinthe scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications asreasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to theart.

I claim as myinventioni 1. In combination, means forming a fuel cellhaving a wall formed with an opening therein, a pump extending throughsaid opening and into the inside of said fuel cell, a pump head memberon said pump outside of said fnel cell, and a mounting ring connected tosaid fuel cell circumjacentfsaid opening, said inoun'tirlg' ring andsaid pumphead member providing first and second ring members,respectively, said first and second ringmembers having radiallyoutwardly extending inter fitted fingers offset axially from saidmounting ring and a clamping ring surrounding said fingers including aturnbuckle adjusting screw to lock said pump in firm assembly with thewalls of said fuel cell. V

2. lncombination, means forming a fuel cell having a wall formed with anopening therein, a pump extending through said opening and into theinside of said fue l cell, a pump head member on said pump outsideofsaid fuel cell, and amounting ring connected to said fuel cellcircu'inja'c'ent said opening, I aiamonnan ring and said pnrfiphead'meinb'er providing first arids econd ring members, respectively,said first and second ringmember s projecting axially of said mountingring and having radially outwardly extending inter-fitted fingers and aclamping ring surrounding said fingers including a turnbuckle adjustingscrew to lock said pump in firm assem bly with the walls ofsaid fuelcell, saidmountingring more particularly comprising a body portion madeof moldedresilientmaterial and being perip'herally grooved to provideannular circumferential flanges snapping over opposite sides of the fuelcell wall at the edges of said opening to place said ring in firmassembly with said fuel cell,

3. In combination, means forming a fuel cell having a wall formed withan opening therein, a pumpextending through said opening and into theinside of said fuel cell, a pump head member on said pump outside ofsaid fuel cell, and a mountingring connected to said fuel cellcircumjacent said opening, said mounting ring and said pump head memberproviding first and second ring members, respectively, said first andsecond ring members having radially outwardly extending inter-fittedfingers offset axially from said mounting ring and a clamping ringsurrounding said fingers including a turnbuckle adjusting screw to locksaid pump in firm assembly with the walls of said fuel cell, saidmounting ring more particularly comprising a body portion made of moldedresilient material and being peripherally grooved to provide anularcircumferential flanges snapping over opposite sides of the fuel cellwall at the edges of said opening to place said ring in firm assemblywith said fuel cell, and a rigid ring member having fastening meansembedded in said body member and fasteners connecting said first andsecond ring members to said rigid ring.

4. In combination, means forming a fuel cell having a wall formed withan opening therein, a pump extending through said opening and into theinside of said fuel cell, a pump head member on said pump outside ofsaid fuel cell, and a mounting ring connected to said fuel cellcircumjacent said opening, said mounting ring and said pump head memberproviding first and second ring members, respectively, said first andsecond ring members having radially outwardly extending inter-fittedfingers offset axially from said mounting ring and a clamping ringsurrounding said fingers including a turnbuckle adjusting screw to locksaid pump in firm assembly with the walls of said fuel cell, saidmounting ring more particularly comprising a body portion made of moldedresilient material and being peripherally grooved to provide annularcircumferential flanges snapping over opposite sides of the fuel cellwall at the edges of said opening to place said ring in firm assemblywith said fuel cell, and a rigid ring member having fastening meansembedded in said body member, said rigid ring member and said fasteningmeans comprising a disc carrying a plurality of circumferentially spacedthreaded inserts respectively, and a screw for each insert threadedthereinto and retaining said first and second ring members, in firmassembly with said body member.

5. A pump mounting structure for a fuel cell comprising, means forming afuel cell having a wall formed with an opening therein, a pump extendingthrough said opening inside of said fuel cell and having a pump headmember outside of said fuel cell, and a mounting ring connected to saidfuel cell circumjacent said opening, said mounting ring and said pumphead member providing first and second ring members, respectively, saidfirst ring member having an annular row of circumferentially spacedradially outwardly extending peripheral fingers, each finger having alateral groove formed therein to provide wedge-shaped tapering sidewalls converging radially inwardly, a clamping ring having complementarywedge-shaped tapering side walls retained in said lateral grooves ofsaid fingers against axial displacement, said second ring member havingan annular row of circumferentially spaced fingers fitting between saidfingers on said first ring member and including lugs projecting radiallyoutwardly from said fingers to a diameter less than the outer diameterof the fingers on said first ring member, each of said lugs havingopposed converging abutment surfaces providing a leading face forguiding the lug axially under the clamping ring and a trailing facealigned with an intermediate portion of the adjoining laterally groovedfingers on said first ring member and cooperating with said clampingring to draw the first and second ring members together axially when theclamping ring is tightened radially.

6. A pump mounting structure for a fuel cell comprising, means forming afuel cell having a wall formed with an opening therein, a pump extendingthrough said opening inside of said fuel cell and having a pump headmember outside of said fuel cell, and a mounting ring connected to saidfuel cell at said opening, said mounting ring and said pump head memberproviding first and second ring members, respectively, said first ringmember having an annular row of circumferentially spaced peripheralfingers, each finger having a lateral groove formed therein to providewedge-shaped tapering side walls converging radially inwardly, aclamping ring having complementary wedge-shaped tapering side wallsretained in said lateral grooves of said fingers against axialdisplacement, said second ring member having an annnular row ofcircumferentially spaced fingers fitting between said fingers on saidfirst ring member and including lugs projecting radially outwardly fromsaid fingers to a diameter less than the outer diameter of the fingerson said first ring member, each of said lugs having opposed convergingabutment surfaces providing a leading face for guiding the lug axiallyunder the clamping ring and a trailing face aligned with an intermediateportion of the adjoining laterally grooved fingers on said first ringmember and cooperating with said clamping ring to draw the first andsecond ring members together axially when the clamping ring is tightenedradially, one of said ring members having axially outwardly taperedperipheral shoulders between the fingers thereof for guiding the fingerson the other of said ring members t'hereover into the spaces between thefingers on said one of said ring members.

7. A pump mounting arrangement for a fuel cell comprising, means forminga fuel cell having a wall formed with an opening therein, a pumpextending through said opening inside of said fuel cell and having apump head member outside of said fuel cell, and a mounting ringconnected on said fuel cell at said opening, said mounting ring and saidpump head member providing first and second ring members, respectively,said first ring member having an annular row of circumferentially spacedperipheral fingers, each finger having a lateral groove formed thereinto provide wedge-shaped tapering side walls converging radiallyinwardly, a clamping ring having complementary wedge-shaped taperingside walls retained in said lateral grooves of said fingers againstaxial displacement, said second ring member having an annular row ofcircumferentially spaced fingers fitting between said fingers on saidfirst ring member and including lugs projecting radially outwardly fromsaid fingers to a diameter less than the outer diameter of the fingerson said first ring member, each of said lugs having opposed convergingabutment surfaces providing a leading face for guiding the lug axiallyunder the clamping ring and a trailing face aligned with an intermediateportion of the adjoining laterally grooved fingers on said first ringmember and cooperating with said clamping ring to draw the first andsecond ring members together axially when the clamping ring is tightenedradially, both of said ring members having axially extending taperedshoulders between the respective mating fingers for guiding the corresponding respective mating fingers into interfitting relationship withone another.

8. A pump mounting arrangement for a fuel cell comprising, means forminga fuel cell having a wall formed with an opening therein, a pumpextending through said opening inside of said fuel cell and having apump head member outside of said fuel cell, and a mounting ringconnected to said fuel cell at said opening, said mounting ring and saidpump head member providing first and second ring members, respectively,said first ring member astaaso 7 having an annular rowof circumferentially spaced peripheral fingers, each finger having a late ral grooveformed therein to provide wedge-shaped tapering side walls convergingradially inwardly, a clamping ring having complementary wedge-shapedtapering side walls retained in said lateral grooves of said fingersagainst axial displacement, said second ring member having an annularrow of circumferentially spaced fingers fitting between said fingers onsaid first ring member and including lugs projecting radially outwardlyfrom said fingers to a diameter less than the outer diameter of thefingers on said first ring member, each of said lugs having opposedconverging abutment surfaces providing a leading face for guiding thelug axially under the clamping ring and a trailing face aligned with anintermediate portion of the adjoining laterally grooved fingers on saidfirst ring memher and cooperating with said clamping ring to draw thefirst and second ring members together axially when the clamping ring istightened radially, both of said ring members having axially extendingtapered shoulders between the respective fingers thereof for guiding thecorresponding respective mating iingers into interfitting relationshipwith one another, said tapered shoulders diverging outwardly tocylindrical fiat circumferential walls in seating engagement with theinner faces of the respective fingers when the first and second ringmembers are coupled together.

9. A pump mounting arrangement for a fuel cell comprising, means forminga fuel cell having a wall formed with an opening therein, a pumpextending through said opening inside of said fuel cell and having apump head member outside of said fuel cell, and a mounting ringconnected to said fuel cell at said opening, said mounting ring and saidpump head member providing first and second ring members, respectively,said first ring member having an annular row of circumferentially spacedperipheral fingers, each finger having a lateral groove for ed thereinto provide wedge-shaped tapering side walls converging radiallyinwardly, a clamping ring having complementary wedgeshaped tapering sidewalls retained in said lateral grooves of said fingers against axialdisplacement, said second ring member having an annular row ofcircumferentially spaced fingers fitting between said fingers on. saidfirst ring member and including lugs projecting radially outwardly fromsaid fingers to a diameter less than the outer diameter of theifingerson said first ring member, each of said lugs having opposed eonvergingabutment surfaces providing a leading face for guiding the lug axiallyunder the clamping ring and a trailing face aligned with an intermediateportion of the adjoining laterally grooved fingers on said first ringmeniber and cooperating with said clamping ring to draw the first andsecond ring members together axially when the clam-ping ring istightened radially, a draw bolt assembly on said clamping ring, andmeans to adjust said draw bolt assembly for firmly fastening therespective parts with a single hand operation. I

10. In combination, means forming a fuel cell having a Wall formed withan opening therein, a submerged type of pump extending inside of saidfuel cell through said opening-,a pump mounting fitting comprising anannular ring made of a molded resilient material, a peripheral groovebeing formed in said annular ring and receiving said walls of said fuelcell at the edges of saidopcnin'g, a first rigid ring member outside ofsaid fuel cell having fastening means integrally embedded in saidannular ring and carried in firm assembly by said pump mounting fitting,said pump having a pump head mounting flange outside of said fuel cellproviding a circumferentially peripheral portion constituting a secondring member, and a turnbuckle assembly having a clamping ring engagingsaid first and second rings to retain said pump in firm assembly withthe Walls of said fuel cell.

11. A pump mounting arrangement for a submerged pump inside of a fuelcell, comprising, a first ring carried by a wall of a fuel cell and asecond ring carried by the pump, both of said rings providing radiallyoutwardly ex tending circumferentially spaced peripherally groovedfingers outside of the fuel cell, and a clamping ring engaging saidfingers and having a turnbuckle connection at the ends thereof tocollapse said clamping ring radially and to thereby connect said pump insealed assembly with said fuel cell;

12. In combination, means forming a fuel cell having a wall providing anopening adjacent submerged type pump inside of said cell, said pump andthe edges of said fuel cell wall at said opening being providing,respectively, with mating lock ring members, and a turnbuckle typeadjusting screw operatively connecting said ring members for quickassembly of said pump in said fuel cell.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,882,616 Hutchinson Oct. 11, 1932 2,139,370 Lauer Dec. 6, 19382,326,263 Steiner Aug. 10, 1943 2,439,161 Du Bois Apr. 6, 1948 2,697,570Snyder Dec. 21, 1954 2,731,278 Sod'erstrorn Ian. 17, 1956

